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Negative thinking?I need a hug and a hand pls

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Negative thinking?I need a hug and a hand pls

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 3207

Hey Jazz

First, congrats on those wonderful 600 days! I agree with Lolly that the title of your post holds the key; your thoughts are what's making things difficult for you right now. I still have smoking "thoughts" once in a while, but that's all they are. Thoughts. They're not cravings. That is long past. And thoughts can be changed. Easily. I like what your husband said, "You don't do that anymore." That's exactly what I think to myself when I have a thought of smoking, "Jazz doesn't do that anymore."..oh no, I mean, "I don't do that anymore." I don't give those other thoughts any weight by dwelling on them. I just note them and move on. I hope you can do that soon too. {{{Jazz}}}

Maybe it's time to literally stop and smell the roses by buying some to remind you that these glorious 600 nonsmoking days allow you to actually smell them? How is that garden btw?

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 3/22/2007
Smoke-Free Days: 888
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 35,520
Amount Saved: $6,038.40
Life Gained:
Days: 127 Hrs: 0 Mins: 7 Seconds: 55

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 24

Hi Jazz,

I am not sure if many will agree with me here, but I thought I would pass some information to you....

My cousin had the same problem as you. He could quit cold turkey, but just felt terrible and would go back to full on smoking even after years of quitting.

He went to see a hypnotherapist. He made him relax, and then asked him to face his nicotine, cigarettes or whatever, and shake their hand! Thank them profusely for all the many times that he had needed that 'hit' and they had provided it. Forgive them for the addiction. etc etc. Think all warm and jubbly about nicotine as if it's your very best friend. Then the hypnotist made him explain that it was time to part ways. That they could no longer be friends etc. Goodbye! He walked out and never thought about cigarettes/nicotine ever again!

Of course, I thought the entire thing was mad, but now I am giving up this makes a lot of sense to me. It's a bit like the GRIEVING process, and you haven't accepted that your old 'friend' nicotine is dead. Once you say goodbye properly, you will not only have these thoughts pass, but you will also FEEL the benefits - it will be like a weight lifted from your shoulders.

You may not want to see a hypnotherapist, but you will find that if you explained this to a councilor, they would be able to assist you over that last step in a many similar to helping a bereaved person move on.

OR... I have found since I quit just 10 days ago, a role model who is healthy, and cheerful, and a non-smoker. Every now and then I have these thoughts about how much I miss smoking and feel I have lost part of ME. But I imagine my new role model and realise that to be like that, I have to lose that part of me. This way I look at non-smoking as part of a GAIN not a LOSS.

I'm sure you must be a bit wary of taking advice from someone who's not even done heck week! LOL! But I am drawing on other experiences too. I think the reason why I am succeeding this time compared to any other time is because I have lost all my family members in the last 5 years and have gone through the grieving process 6 times. I have managed to turn their passing into positive thoughts and I plan to do the same with the smoking as time goes on.

ANYWAY - Here's my (((HUG))))) and HAND

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 8/10/2009
Smoke-Free Days: 10
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 250
Amount Saved: $129.00
Life Gained:
Days: 0 Hrs: 22 Mins: 0 Seconds: 51

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1904

Hi Jazz, I would go back through 'My Program' again using the data you originally supplied--number of cigarettes smoked... You might have to adjust the price of a pack upward. I went through the program again yesterday out of boredom. It really does remind you of why you quit in the first place. Stay closer to the board right now. I think by participating on this board, I'm rediscovering prayers and slogans and tactics that I have either never used or haven't used in years or have never applied toward giving up a 'real' addiction, like smoking. Usually, I use those things to calm down or to bring about actual personality changes.
My Milage:

My Quit Date: 5/1/2009
Smoke-Free Days: 111
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 3,108
Amount Saved: $1,204.35
Life Gained:
Days: 12 Hrs: 4 Mins: 32 Seconds: 16

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 567

Ohh Dear Jazz,

Sorry you are struggling so right now. It sucks, and please know that you are not alone. I think about this time last year and the struggles and I know that this year is much better, but there are still moments

that are not easy.

I am glad you are going away this weekend. I'm hopeful that time with your friends will be helpful for you. As Rock says "treat yourself like royalty"....get some endorphins moving this weekend...

My hand is reaching out for you & pulling for you Jazz!!!! You CAN & you WILL do this. These feelings are temporary--remember that. (Or you wouldn't have gotten this far).

All the best,

Deb

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 3/1/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 537
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 21,480
Amount Saved: $4,833.00
Life Gained:
Days: 63 Hrs: 1 Mins: 19 Seconds: 1

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 802

Frig you guys, now you went and made me cry.....and on Rock's special day too!!

I knew I could count on you guys.

Ron, I know what you mean about gaining confidence. Usually I feel I'm doing better in that department, (hell, I kicked the sh#t out of the nico guy), that's why I can't figure out where this slump is coming from. Jim, I stalked up on some special endorphin boosting wine, so I'll raise a glass or 2 to you tonight. If I have a hangover tomorrow, it's all your fault.

As for the cruise, Mr. J and I are heading down to see Goofy in late October as part of our reward. Not a cruise, but 10 days away just the same. Rock, what can I say? Thanks for always being there and keeping us all in line. You always know what to say. MM, is there any way you can put a restraining order on that junkie? Keep him away from all of us??? Thanks for being there too. Stickin, how come you always manage to find words that are so meaningful, but so personal at the same time? Incredible - thank you. Cameless, I love your "positive attitudes are contagious!". I wonder who the genius is that's using that one?

HUGE thanks to all of you for being here for me (again). Mr. J and I are taking off in a couple of hours for a head start to the weekend - going to see friends at their cottage, so I won't be online until Monday. It might do me some good to get away and reflect for a couple of days. Thanks again to everybody. Keep the quit, and I will too.

Jazz

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 1/3/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 595
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 11,900
Amount Saved: $4,522.00
Life Gained:
Days: 64 Hrs: 23 Mins: 37 Seconds: 59

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 410

Jazz,

Positive attitudes are contagious!

Hang in there!

cameless

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 12/17/2007
Smoke-Free Days: 612
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 15,300
Amount Saved: $5,087.25
Life Gained:
Days: 116 Hrs: 21 Mins: 27 Seconds: 2

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1985

Jazz,

Please remember this; smoking does not change the outcome of an event and quite frankly, as Ashley has pointed out, it is not going to make things better. It will just give you cause for more grief. Don’t let yourself be fooled. Break the cycle or connection between smoking and how it is going to have a positive impact upon a situation. You know it’s just not true. Everything is temporary, everything except that a time will come when we depart this world. Don’t make it sooner than necessary; smoking causes cancer, emphysema, teeth and gums lost, and hosts of other diseases.

It’s good to see that have done so very well. I like that, nearing 600 DAYS! You have a very strong resolve Jazz, and your plans are to keep it. Remember urges all pass, acknowledge them for what they are “an urge for the moment” and it too will pass just like the thousands of others that have come before.

Some situations we are powerless to change however try viewing them in a different light.

I’m hopeful Jazz
Dennis

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 1/22/2006
Smoke-Free Days: 1306
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 23,508
Amount Saved: $7,640.10
Life Gained:
Days: 238 Hrs: 5 Mins: 10 Seconds: 36

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 597

I know how you feel.... Sometimes it feels like it's just not worth it, so might as well throw in the towel.

But you and I know that is just the junkie in us looking for a reason to fail. IT IS sooooo very worth it. Remember that this will pass. Reach back and retrieve those distractionary tools you used early on! Hugs to you, Jazz

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 10/22/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 302
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 12,080
Amount Saved: $2,416.00
Life Gained:
Days: 34 Hrs: 0 Mins: 34 Seconds: 15

Quit Meter

$58,040.00

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 833 Hours: 19

Minutes: 48 Seconds: 31

Life Gained
Quit Meter

5804

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

232,160

Cigarettes Not Smoked

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1843

Jazz, grab my hand too if you need. Hugs are coming your way too! Are you rewarding yourself? Let me rephrase that. Are you treating yourself well? Its been almost 600 days for you. What are you doing to replace smoking? Have you picked up a hobby you've always wanted to do? I know you and Mr J have had some wonderful trips over the past year. I suggest finding something fun and exciting and challenging to do. A new hobby? Volunteering at a charity thats important to you? Something to tell you that Life without smoking is worth living! You are a role model to so many of us. I know this will pass! Just keep saying N.O.P.E. each and every day! And post when you need, we're always here!
My Milage:

My Quit Date: 8/20/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 365
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 14,600
Amount Saved: $3,650.00
Life Gained:
Days: 54 Hrs: 12 Mins: 7 Seconds: 47

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2778

Hi Jazz!!!

I'm also throwing some hugs your way!!! I just wanted to let you know that you aren't the only one with a substantial quit under their belt who has these stinking thinkings!!! I've read lots of posts about some of our fellow quit buddies who do struggle months after quitting! Heck, the stinking nico-demon even gets under my skin every now and then... STILL!!!

I really hate that I sometimes still think that I am missing the joys and pleasures I received from smoking!!! Then I start to thinking that if I'm having these feelings, it must be because I need an endorphin boost... Soooooo..... REWARD TIME!!!

What that usually means for me is a trip to the liquor store to get a few "special" beers!!!! You know, the kind I don't usually get for myself like a nice dopplebock or Trappist abbey beer or a new microbrewery beer that I haven't tried yet.

Maybe you just need to think about a REALLY nice reward to treat yourself with and get those endorphins flowing again! Then again, maybe you need a Caribbean cruise!!! Something to think about!!!

Anyways, read and post and do it some more and while doing so, re-commit and try to keep yourself psyched up!! I'm still on IM during the work week if you want to add me and chat or vent!

You'll get over this and you have plenty of buddies here to help!!!

Jim

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 3/5/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 533
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 13,325
Amount Saved: $2,198.63
Life Gained:
Days: 90 Hrs: 8 Mins: 50 Seconds: 39

Quit Meter

$48,532.50

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 1184 Hours: 22

Minutes: 47 Seconds: 4

Life Gained
Quit Meter

6471

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

194,130

Cigarettes Not Smoked

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Negative thinking?I need a hug and a hand pls